Waterproof mascara is very practical. It doesn't run all day and gives you divine eyes from morning to night. But it's also notoriously tenacious... How can you avoid lash breakage when you remove it? Follow our guide. 

A timeless make-up bag essential, mascara comes in a variety of forms, including waterproof, ideal for keeping eye make-up in place all day long. Guaranteed smudge-proof, it's our best friend in summer against sweat, pool and sea water, but it can also quickly become a nuisance if we don't know how to remove it properly. 

How best to define waterproof mascara? 

To understand why you need to remove it with care, we first need to understand what waterproof mascara is. It's a type of mascara designed to resist water and humidity. It is formulated with hydrophobic ingredients that make it resistant to water and tears, but also to sweat. This makes it the number 1 choice for occasions when you sweat easily (a hot day), when you're exposed to water (swimming, a day at the beach or an event close to water), or when you're likely to get teary-eyed (a wedding, for example). No more mascara smudges or panda eyes. 

Unlike ordinary mascaras, waterproof formulas tend to contain more waxes and polymers to create this water- and weather-resistant formula. However, because of their resistant nature, waterproof mascaras are often more difficult to remove than traditional mascaras... It is therefore necessary to use a make-up remover specially designed for waterproof mascaras, or make-up remover oil, which is radical for effectively removing mascara without damaging lashes.

As with any cosmetic product, it is important to take precautions and use waterproof mascara sparingly, as excessive or prolonged use can dry out lashes and make them more fragile... 

Which make-up remover should I use to remove waterproof mascara? 

How do you remove makeup when wearing waterproof mascara? Since it's designed to resist water, this type of mascara is much more difficult to remove than traditional mascara. To remove it without damaging your lashes, you need to use a special makeup remover.

Cleansing oil

Make-up-removing oils are super-efficient for removing tough mascara and waterproof make-up, as the fats are able to dissolve water-resistant ingredients. Simply apply a few drops of make-up remover oil to a cotton pad or directly to your fingers, then gently massage the eye area to thoroughly remove mascara. Make-up remover oils are gentle on the skin and can also help moisturize lashes. If you're too lazy to buy an oil specifically for mascara, you can use any ordinary vegetable oil (walnut oil, almond oil, olive oil), as nothing beats natural products for skin care.

Two-phase make-up remover 

Two-phase make-up removers are oil-based products that also contain a water-based component. They are specially designed to remove waterproof products and are therefore very effective at removing mascara. Shake the bottle well to mix the two phases, then apply the product to a reusable cotton pad and gently sweep over lashes.

Waterproof make-up remover wipes

Not a fan of the concept, as wipes have long been aggressive and irritating to the skin, but the beauty world being what it is, formulations are now gentler and more respectful of the skin barrier. The wipes are impregnated with an effective make-up remover solution and can be used to remove stubborn mascara from eyelashes as well as eye shadow and lip inks. They're the practical solution for make-up removal when you're on the move. 

Care for your lashes after each application of waterproof mascara

It's important to make this a habit, especially if you frequently use waterproof mascara. Just like hair and eyebrows, eyelashes need to be cared for to avoid breakage. After applying waterproof mascara, lashes need to be pampered. This formulation, which is more aggressive than conventional mascaras, can cause slight damage to the lashes. You'll need to nourish and moisturize them accordingly to avoid breakage. How can I do this? Simply apply a special nourishing lash serum and leave the lashes free of make-up for at least 24 hours.